Women Working in Data Podcast

Welcome to the Women in Data® Podcast, where every other week your host, Karen Jean-Francois interviews some of the most inspiring women working in data. Through each episode, they share their invaluable experience and knowledge. Leaving no stone unturned, the Women in Data® Podcast series will provide you with information on the use of data in various industries, plus helpful tips for career development.  More importantly, it will enable you to become the data professional you want to be.

“The most amazing thing about Women in Data® is the community. It’s the inspiring women you meet, the conversations you have, the mentoring you get access to and the friendships that get created! ” 

Whilst studying to be a Maths teacher in 2010, I fell in love with Data Science and opted for a career change, switching to an MSc in Applied Statistics studying at Université Paris Sud 11. Eight years later I started working for Cardlytics as a Senior Analyst / Manager. My passion is exploring data and finding surprising insights that make a difference to business strategy. Most of all, I thrive on personal development and supporting others in their career and personal fulfillment journey. 

I began athletics at the age of 10 to help overcome my shyness. I ran for several years at county level before leaving Guadeloupe, a French island in the Caribbean. In 2009 I started to train as an international athlete and run the 100m hurdles for France. An incredibly proud moment for me, and the first time I understood the importance and power of role models.  Whilst representing my country was an amazing and such an honour, being far from home and my family was tough. Admiring athletes such as Marie-José Pérec, who was a leader on track and promoted peace, really gave me a focus to continue and strive for more.

Now, as a woman working in data, I have experienced the lack of female role models in industry and I am keen to support Women in Data for the quest to change this.

Follow her on the Women in Data® podcast to hear guests talking about their data journey and get tips to help you overcome challenges bi monthly – Sign up here

Ep 104
Data Leaders Should Also Be People Leaders

14/03/2024
Antje Bustamante and Neha Wadhawan

14/03/2024: Antje Bustamante and Neha Wadhawan - Data Leaders Should Also Be People Leaders

How do you find career clarity in Data? How do you find the right leader? What are the questions to ask to determine that someone is the right leader for YOU? Also, how does a leader stay current after years in a role? If these are questions you ask, this podcast will help you enormously.

Antje Bustamante and Neha Wadhawan share their experiences on how they navigated their careers and eventually thrived, even when leadership wasn’t people-focused. Hear how they quiz leaders to discover if their values align with their own.Also hear how they would deal today with inadequate leadership or bias that they encountered in the past. You will hear surprising insights about the utility of vulnerability, openness and information transparency in leadership.In their roles, Antje and Neha distinguish ‘management’ from what they see as genuine empowerment.

Find out how to establish boundaries and draw your own red lines while seeking out leaders yet, at the same time, taking responsibility for your career.

Ep 103
Inside WiD's Flagship Event!

29/02/2024
Roisin McCarthy and Chole Aboud

29/02/2024: Roisin McCarthy and Chole Aboud - Inside WiD's Flagship Event!

The countdown has begun, and we are buzzing with excitement!

In this thrilling episode, Karen is joined by Roisin McCarthy, the founder of Women in Data, and Chole Aboud, Partner Relations Executive for WiD, to provide you with an exclusive sneak peek into the flagship event happening on March 7, 2024. Tune in to discover details about the incredibly inspiring guest speakers, engaging workshops, hackathon, and partnerships for the day!

If you're attending, don't forget to come say hi! See you there!

Ep 102
Finding your space in Data

22/02/2024
Anusha Adige

22/02/2024: Anusha Adige - Finding your space in Data

If you are wondering about where and how you fit into the world of Data, this episode will provide a great perspective. Anusha Adige moved from India to Scotland, and from Banking specialist to Business Analyst, and now Data and Analytics Manager. Though she came from a non-technical background, she learned to work with programmers to generate powerful business insights. Karen and Cecilia were fascinated to hear about the transferable skills of someone who is a naturally curious person. Discussions between business people and data people often get lost in translation. So, Data needs “really efficient data translators” and stories supported by numbers.

Hear how you can develop in confidence and bring more to the business.

Anusha Adige on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anusha-adige-474b7287/  

Ep 101
How to get comfortable with the unknown

08/02/2024
Sarah Victor

08/02/2024: Sarah Victor - How to get comfortable with the unknown

85% of the jobs that will be available in 2030 have not been invented yet! How do we make career decisions today and plan for the future? In this episode, Karen is joined by Sarah Victor, Co-Head of Data Governance, Chief Data Office, Corporate & Investment Bank at J.P. Morgan, who shares strategies that she deployed to navigate an unconventional career path that led to Data. When you move from India to the USA, switch from Engineering to study for an MBA, and start a new role in the Finance sector: what are the risks, and how do you make informed choices? One suggestion is to listen to a diversity of ideas. Discover more insights as Karen and Sarah cover a range of predictability, from becoming too comfortable in a job, to learning how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Sarah Victor on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-victor-a381703

Ep 100
Navigating Your Career: Advice from 100 Episodes

25/01/2024
Karen and Cecilia

25/01/2024: Karen and Cecilia - Navigating Your Career: Advice from 100 Episodes

In celebration of the 100 episodes, Karen and Cecilia invited to the show Alex Smith and Lara Harris, two members of the production team. They dive into the most valuable career advice shared throughout the podcast's journey, focusing on the listeners' favourite topic: navigating a successful career in the world of data. Covering pivotal career phases, from determining your next move to resiliently facing redundancy, this episode extracts wisdom from key moments, including:

  • Episode 73: How to figure out your next step
  • Episode 62: Future-proofing your career
  • Episode 64: Establishing yourself in a new role
  • Episode 71: Redundancy and job-hunting experiences
As a bonus, join the celebration on LinkedIn for a chance to win a ticket to the highly anticipated Women in Data flagship event in March. Follow Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-jean-francois/ Follow Cecilia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliagoliveira/ 

Ep 99
Learning and development in Data Science The internet is generous

11/01/2024
Wuraola Oyewusi

11/01/2024: Wuraola Oyewusi - Learning and development in Data Science The internet is generous

Hear about Wuraola’s veracious appetite for learning and where and how she finds online tools to develop her understanding of data science. In this episode, Karen and Cecilia are joined by publisher and technical instructor, Wuraola Oyewusi, who describes her journey in Data. Two take-aways are ‘curiosity is not language dependent’ and ‘the internet is generous.’ To acknowledge the online sources and teachers who helped her with free content, and to give back to the community, Wuraola publishes inspirational content on Linkedin and YouTube. After listening to her speak here, you will want to explore further to find her videos that range in topic from data visualisation, delivered in Yoruba, to How to Switch to a Tech Career.
Find out how to combine available self-help content and structured courses to enjoy learning and plan your development in Data.
Wuraola Oyewusi on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/wuraolaoyewusi/
Wuraola Oyewusi on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@wuraoyewusi

Ep 98
Reflect, Learn, Grow- A Year-End Retrospective

14/12/2023
Karen and Cecilia

14/12/2023 : Karen and Cecilia - Reflect, Learn, Grow- A Year-End Retrospective

In this year-end special, Karen and Cecilia warmly invite you to join them in reflecting on the passing year. They explore the significance of retrospectives, sharing valuable insights and personal strategies for both personal and professional growth. Offering different structures for your own retrospective, they candidly delve into their individual journeys, opening up about mistakes, lessons learned, and memorable moments. Join them for a thoughtful and inspiring discussion as they bid farewell to 2023. 

Ep 97
Transcending Industries: Sumathi Thiyagarajan’s Story

30/11/2023
Sumathi Thiyagarajan

30/11/2023 : Sumathi Thiyagarajan - Transcending Industries: Sumathi Thiyagarajan’s Story

Ever wondered how transferable skills can shape your career path? Karen spent some quality time with the remarkable Sumathi Thiyagarajan, VP of Business Strategy and Analytics for the Milwaukee Bucks, to discuss this exact topic. Sumathi has lived the reality of transitioning across industries, from healthcare to academia, and finally making her mark in the world of sports and entertainment. In this episode, Sumathi shares her journey and her strategies to build credibility, emphasising the power of transferable skills in data and highlighting the often-overlooked non-technical skills that have proven instrumental in her career so far. The conversation then takes an inspiring turn as Sumathi shares her personal experiences as a woman of colour navigating data and analytics leadership, and how her position at the top allows her to bring diverse talent and perspectives to the organisation. Get ready to be inspired, challenged and empowered.

Ep 96
Decoding the Hype and Reality of Generative AI

16/11/2023
Rehgan Avon

16/11/2023 : Rehgan Avon - Decoding the Hype and Reality of Generative AI

Does Generative AI have the potential to revolutionise your business strategy?  In this episode, Karen is joined by Rehgan Avon, CEO of Align AI and founder of Women in Analytics, to discuss Generative AI and how it is affecting data strategies. Prepare to unravel the pros and cons of the hype cycle surrounding Gen AI, as well as how organisations should navigate this landscape by conducting proofs of concept and tackling the task of educating their teams about this groundbreaking technology. Listen to Rehgan talk about how business and AI strategy should not be separated from each other in order to avoid the pitfalls of impulsive decisions and ineffective data practices. 

Ep 95
Unlocking Your Role: A Guide for Gaining Clarity

02/11/2023
Karen and Cecilia

02/11/2023 : Karen and Cecilia - Unlocking Your Role: A Guide for Gaining Clarity

Ever experienced a lack of clear expectations about what was required for you to progress at work? You're not alone.

Lack of role definition is a common pain point in the data industry, likely due to its dynamic nature and a general lack of data literacy within organisations. Listen in as Karen and Cecilia explore how this uncertainty can make data teams feel more like a service team than a valued asset, and the critical role of leadership in providing clear career guidance.

Moving forward, they shift their focus to stress management and how a lack of control and support at the workplace can dampen motivation among data professionals. They then share some tried and tested strategies to regain control and chart a way forward. Lastly, they craft a comprehensive personal development plan, emphasising the importance of setting clear goals, involving your manager in the process, and regularly reflecting on your strengths and aspirations. Listen to this episode for these insights and more!

Ep 93
Machine Learning in the Real World Lessons from the Experts

19/10/2023
Michelle Conway and Sarah Schlobohm

19/10/2023 : Michelle Conway and Sarah Schlobohm - Machine Learning in the Real World Lessons from the Experts

Welcome to another captivating episode of the Women in Data® Podcast! Today Karen is joined by two exceptional experts in the field: Michelle Conway, Lead Data Scientist at Lloyds Banking Group, and Sarah Schlobohm, Head of AI and Particle Physicist. Together they discuss the world of Machine Learning Ops.   

A central theme of the discussion revolves around the lifecycle of MLOps and the concept of Machine Learning as a "solution to a problem”. Michelle, Sarah and Karen delve into this idea, stressing the importance of identifying the right opportunities for Machine Learning to truly be effective. They discuss how businesses can avoid falling into the trap of implementing ML without a clear understanding of appropriate applications.   

They also highlight how Machine Learning doesn't operate in isolation but requires seamless integration with other data departments, such as data governance. This comprehensive approach ensures that ML initiatives are well-aligned with the overall data strategy of the organisation, leading to more successful outcomes.   

This episode is a must-listen for anybody looking to learn more about ML Ops and the potential applications of this exciting field. 

Ep 92
Data Leadership: A Journey of Delight and Discovery

05/10/2023
Salla Franzén

05/10/2023 : Salla Franzén - Data Leadership: A Journey of Delight and Discovery

In this Women in Data® episode, Karen is joined by Salla Franzén, Investment Manager at Navigare Ventures. Together, they delve into a captivating discussion about the crucial role of leadership in shaping successful data-driven organisations.   

Salla and Karen highlight how essential it is to maintain a sense of wonder in the world of data. Salla shares her perspective on finding delight in the intricate web of data work and how cultivating this enthusiasm can lead to innovation and learning. The pair also discusses how to provide an environment that encourages individuals to step out of their comfort zones, enabling them to discover their potential and excel in their roles. Salla stresses the importance of creating an atmosphere characterised by kindness, humbleness, and curiosity – values that not only foster collaboration but also drive continuous improvement.   

Tune into this Women in Data® episode and discover how to lead with purpose, infuse joy into data work, and inspire teams to excel in data-driven organisations.   

Ep 90
Small but Mighty: Thriving in Compact Data Teams

21/09/2023
Abi Aryan

21/09/2023: Abi Aryan - Small but Mighty: Thriving in Compact Data Teams

In this episode, Karen and Cecilia are joined by Abi Aryan, a Machine Learning Engineer and author for O'Reilly book on LLMOps.  Throughout the episode Karen, Cecilia, and Abby open up about their personal experiences working in very small teams. They chat about the pros and cons and dive into the obstacles they've come across in these setups. They tackle the reality of having a smaller collective voice and the significant responsibility of being the sole data representative, which can sometimes feel overwhelming.  Such challenges stress the resourcefulness and resilience required in technical roles, as data professionals must often rely on their own expertise and problem-solving skills to navigate complex challenges.  Enjoy!

Ep 89
Guide to Seamless Data Team Onboarding

07/09/2023
Rianna Kelly

07/09/2023: Rianna Kelly - Guide to Seamless Data Team Onboarding

In this episode, Karen is joined by Rianna Kelly, Head of Product Analytics & Data Scientist at ZEPZ, to discuss the intricacies of onboarding experiences within data teams.  While the onboarding period may be relatively brief in one's tenure, its significance is undeniable as it sets the scene for what’s to come. The realm of data work is notably complex, demanding a grasp of technology, data, processes, and business acumen, rendering onboarding in data teams a unique challenge.   

Throughout the conversation, Rianna uses her expertise to describe the components of a great onboarding experience and shares practical strategies to make it easier. She emphasises the significance of documentation in efficiently navigating different data products, providing essential tips to streamline the integration process. Karen and Rianna also debate the optimal speed at which to absorb new information and build connections without feeling inundated by the sea of new faces and challenges.   
Enjoy!

Ep 88
September Update

01/09/2023
Co-hosted

01/09/2023: Co-hosted - September Update

We are trying something new! In this special episode, Karen and Cecilia engage in a brief conversation about their summer experiences and share some valuable lessons they've learned. They then shift the discussion towards what you can expect on the podcast in September. Enjoy!

Ep 87
How to increase your visibility in the workplace

20/07/2023
Co-hosted

20/07/2023: Co-hosted - How to increase your visibility in the workplace

In this episode of the Women in Data® podcast, hosts Karen and Cecilia explore a crucial and often overlooked aspect of achieving success in the data space: workplace visibility. They dive deep into effective strategies that can help individuals stand out and leave a lasting impact among their colleagues. They also provide valuable insights on the art of self-promotion, guiding listeners on how to confidently share their accomplishments, projects, and contributions without coming across as boastful. This episode serves as an invaluable guide for anyone looking to increase visibility in the data workplace, whether you are just starting out or seeking to advance your career. You can expect actionable strategies and practical tips that will empower you to excel and make a significant mark in the industry. Tune in to gain invaluable insights and unlock the power of workplace visibility in the data field.

Ep 86
Transformation: An Opportunity, Not a Threat

06/07/2023
Liz Henderson

06/07/2023: Liz Henderson - Transformation: An Opportunity, Not a Threat

In this podcast episode featuring Liz Henderson, Executive Advisor at Capgemini, the focus is on navigating change and making valuable contributions to overall business transformation. Liz and Karen discuss change management and how individuals and organisations can successfully navigate change. Join to hear valuable advice for becoming comfortable with business transformation and embracing it as an opportunity rather than a threat.  By becoming champions of change, Liz believes individuals can drive positive shifts and create a culture that is receptive to innovation.  While change is a topic that touches everyone, Liz approaches it with a data hat on.  Given that around 90% of data science initiatives do not achieve their objectives, she shares strategies to mitigate risks and increase the likelihood of success in data-driven projects.

Liz’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizhendersondata/

Ep 85
Elevate your career in data with a better approach to learning

22/06/2023
Co-hosted

22/06/2023: Co-hosted - Elevate your career in data with a better approach to learning

Join Karen and Cecilia in this insightful episode as they dive deep into the crucial topic of learning and development, a subject close to Karen's heart and frequently discussed in mentoring conversations. With the rapid pace of the field, navigating the vast array of skills and knowledge can often feel overwhelming, leaving us with limited time to address them all.

During their conversation, Karen and Cecilia share their top strategies for approaching learning in a sustainable and impactful manner. Discover invaluable insights on effectively deciding what to learn, prioritising topics or skills, and crafting a comprehensive development plan. Moreover, gain practical advice on overcoming common blockers that hinder progress in the learning journey.

Tune in and equip yourself with the tools and guidance to embark on a successful and fulfilling path of continuous learning in the dynamic world of data.

Ep 84
Inspiring the next generation of data and tech professionals

08/06/2023
Tori Tompkins

08/06/2023: Tori Tompkins - Inspiring the next generation of data and tech professionals

In this episode, Karen is joined by Tori Tompkins, Senior Data Science Consultant at Advancing Analytics and founder of Girls Code Too, which she runs in collaboration with Girls in Data to create curriculums that inspire the next generation of data and tech professionals. During the conversation, Tori discusses her training in forensic computing and the journey that led her to the data science and machine learning fields. She also details the work that Girls Code Too and Girls in Data to do get more young women into the field. Tori also gives tips on how to balance maintaining a side hustle and giving back to the community, all while working full time. Enjoy!

Tori’s LinkedIn:

We mentioned: Squiggly career on Stress tolerance Girls code too Girls in data

Tori recommends: AI weirdness

Ep 83
Cross-Functional Collaboration - using your data translator skills

25/05/2023
Karen and Cecilia

25/05/2023: Karen and Cecilia - Cross-Functional Collaboration - using your data translator skills

In this second co-hosted episode, Karen and Cecilia discuss cross-functional collaboration, building on episode 76 with Wendy Lynch.

They talk about Wendy's role as an Analytics Translator, which particularly resonated with Cecilia - bridging the gap between technical and non-technical teams that do not always fully understand each other's work.  The pair also consider examples of when strained working relationships with other teams get in the way of good business outcomes.  How can this can be overcome, leading to greater impact and better personal relationships?  Finally, Karen and Cecilia ponder how to answer the classic question of what you do for a living to non-data experts.

Ep 82
From manager to individual contributor: a journey back to data science

11/05/2023
Niamh Broderick

11/05/2023: Niamh Broderick - From manager to individual contributor: a journey back to data science

In this episode of the Women in Data podcast, Karen is joined by Niamh Broderick, Data Scientist at Monzo Bank, who shares her experience of transitioning from a manager to an individual contributor (IC). She talks about how realising she was getting her energy from working on technical challenges and coding rather than managing people lead to the change in direction. Throughout the episode, Niamh and Karen discuss the differences and overlaps between the role of a manager and that of an IC, as well as the challenges Niamh encountered in both roles.  This episode is a must-listen for anybody considering management roles as a way to have a broader impact Niamh’s LinkedIn She recommends: Staff Engineer: Leadership beyond the management track | https://staffeng.com/book 

Ep 81
Pivot to data: the story of a successful career changes

27/04/2023
Cecilia Oliveira

27/04/2023: Cecilia Oliveira - Pivot to data: the story of a successful career changes

In this episode of Women in Data, Karen is joined by Cecilia Oliveira, new co-host of the series, as she recounts her transition from a career in sales and hospitality to the field of data. Cecilia talks about the challenges she faced as she tried to navigate a new industry and how imposter syndrome became a challenge when meeting graduates who had taken a traditional STEM route into data. Cecilia and Karen discuss the advantages of life skills and industry experience when starting a job in a new industry and how to use skills gained in other fields to one’s advantage.

Cecilia's story is an inspiration for anyone who is considering making a career change or trying to transition into a new field.

Cecilia’s LinkedIn

Ep 80
Leading outside of your comfort zone

13/04/2023
Nicole Ramsden

13/04/2023: Nicole Ramsden - Leading outside of your comfort zone

This week, Karen is joined by Nicole Ramsden, Chief Data Office Lead at JP Morgan. Throughout her career, Nicole has worn various hats in many locations, but when she was appointed to build a new data function for JP Morgan, she found herself leading outside of her comfort zone. In this episode, hear how she overcame these challenges to build a high-performing chief data office while ensuring a diverse talent pipeline.

Nicole’s LinkedIn

She recommends 
Gallup’s strength assessmentJP Morgan’s reading listA race for tomorrowCEO Excellence

Ep 79
Thinking creatively about talent pipelines into data careers

29/03/2023
Jackie Carter

29/03/2023: Jackie Carter - Thinking creatively about talent pipelines into data careers

This week, Karen is joined by Jackie Carter, Professor in Statistical Literacy at the University of Manchester, to talk about how to make data analytics careers accessible to all. In this episode, Jackie highlights the importance of opening the field to more diverse backgrounds as many university degrees now include courses in data analytics. She explains how social science students, for example, add value to data teams, bringing a different perspective focusing on the why of behaviours. She touches on the need to solve the diversity issue before it reaches the workplace, speaks about the barriers to entry and how to solve them. Finally, she shares her best advice for students looking to build some work experience.

Jackie’s LinkedIn
Jackie’s book
Developing a future pipeline of applied social researchers through experiential learning: The case of a data fellows programme:

Ep 78
Enabling female founders in data and tech

15/03/2023
Zandra Moore

15/03/2023: Zandra Moore - Enabling female founders in data and tech

This week, Karen is joined by Zandra Moore, Co-Founder, and CEO of PanIntelligence. With only 1% of capital deals going to female-founded teams, Zandra joined a government task force to increase opportunities for women starting, growing and scaling their businesses. In this episode, she shares her journey to founding her own business, as a woman and a mother, as well as the challenges she faced along the way and what helped her succeed. She also talks about the barriers encountered by female founders in the data and tech space and what can be done to address them.

Zandra’s LinkedIn

She recommends:

Ep 77
Sneak peek into the Women in Data flagship event

01/03/2023
Roisin McCarthy

01/03/2023: Roisin McCarthy - Sneak peek into the Women in Data flagship event

The Women in Data flagship event is approaching, and I don’t know about you, but I am super excited. Roisin McCarthy, founder of Women in Data joined me on the podcast to give you a sneak peek into the event. Inspiring speakers, workshops, robots, gigantic LEGO minifigure, etc.. Women in Data went all out, and I can’t wait. Will you be there?

Ep 76
The value of Analytics Translators

22/03/2023
Wendy Lynch

22/03/2023: Wendy Lynch - The value of Analytics Translators

This week, Karen is joined by Wendy Lynch, founder of Analytic-Translator.com. Passionate about analytics and communication, Wendy made a career of mixing the two together, helping data analytics and business teams understand each other. It took her 20 years to realise that her role was that of a translator and in this episode, she shares her best tips to bridge the gap between data and business. She starts by talking about the strain caused by poor communication in our field, then moves on to provide a clear definition of the role of an analytics translator and how they help solve the problem. In this conversation, Wendy also highlights the crucial skills required to be a good translator and through an exercise, demonstrates how we can find answers by simply finding the time to think about the question.

Wendy’s LinkedInWendy’s online course

 Get 30% off Wendy's courses until 15th March 2023 with the code WOMEN30

Become an Analytics TranslatorGet to What Matters  

Ep 75
The role of data in Smart Cities

09/02/2023
Jannat Maqbool

09/02/2023: Jannat Maqbool - The role of data in Smart Cities

This week, Karen is joined by Jannat Maqbool, Principal Advisory at Ecosystm. In this episode, Jannat starts by sharing the misconceptions about smart cities before moving to the role data plays in this field. Listen to hear about the importance of data context, how it is secured and examples of use cases. Enjoy!
Jannat’s LinkedIn

Ep 75
How to build products that make customers lives better

26/01/2023
Cathy Herbert

26/01/2023: Cathy Herbert - How to build products that make customers lives better

This week, Karen is joined by Cathy Herbert, EVP of Customer and Partner Enablement at Arria NLG. Integrity is important to Cathy and because of this, she is passionate about building win-win solutions. In this episode, she describes her approach to ensuring the development of useful products that won’t get shelved. She highlights the importance of communication and good design, and talks about how to make a great first impression, as well as sharing what makes the difference between building a product that makes customers' lives better, and one that doesn't.
Cathy’s LinkedIn
She recommends to follow:
Simon Sinek – How great leaders inspire action
Geoffrey Moore

Ep 73
How to figure out your next step

12/01/2023
Diana Akanho

12/01/2023: Diana Akanho - How to figure out your next step

This week, Karen is joined by Diana Akanho, Managing Consultant - Data and AI Advisory at Capgemini. Before moving to Capgemini, Diana was feeling stuck in her career. She wanted to change roles, but was unsure of what she wanted to do next. With the help of a mentor, Diana took a pragmatic and structured approach to dealing with the issue. In this episode, she reflects on her journey to ‘getting unstuck’ and finding her next role: from experimenting outside of her day-to-day to having an ‘aha!’ moment when she understood the skills that naturally come to her. Diana’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-akanho/ She recommends: HBR: https://hbr.org/ Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/ Karen recommends: https://www.amazingif.com/listen/exploring-and-applying-for-a-new-job/

Ep 72
Inefficiencies when recruiting data professionals

08/12/2022
Lizzie Harris

08/12/2022: Lizzie Harris - Inefficiencies when recruiting data professionals

This week, Karen is joined by Lizzie Harris for the last of this two-part episode covering redundancy and looking for a new job. In this conversation, they talk about the recruitment processes they went through, and how they believe they can be improved. Hiring processes are expensive, and data professionals are sparse. Can we fix inefficiencies and processes that are not inclusive? Lizzie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-harris-a1499a16/ Ep.33 on salary negotiation: https://womenindata.co.uk/women-in-data-podcasts/#item7879

Ep 71
Redundancy and job-hunting experiences

24/11/2022
Lizzie Harris

24/11/2022: Lizzie Harris - Redundancy and job-hunting experiences

This week, Karen is joined by Lizzie Harris for the first of a two-part episode covering redundancy and job searching. In this conversation, they share their respective experiences of going through redundancy earlier this year. They talk about what happened, how they felt, how they reacted and what they did to help cope with the stress and anxiety. They then move on to discuss job hunting, including writing their CVs with a view to encourage forward-focused conversations, rather than what they had done in the past.  Thus allowing them to pitch themselves at the right level, in a market where job titles are all over the place.

Lizzie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-harris-a1499a16/
Ep.1 on Furlough fear: https://womenindata.co.uk/women-in-data-podcasts/#item7784

Ep 70
How to stay attractive to the market

10/11/2022
Jena Zangs

10/11/2022: Jena Zangs - How to stay attractive to the market

This week, Karen is joined by Jena Zangs, Deputy Chief Data Officer & Director of Institutional Data, Analytics & Reporting at the University of St. Thomas (MN). In a field that is constantly evolving and where job hopping is becoming the norm to upskill and get promoted, Jena chose to stay and grow in her organisation. In this episode, she shares the challenges and fears brought by this decision as well as how she has overcome them. You will hear her thoughts on "not having enough time", how she stays up to date with the latest tech development and how she is upskilling herself and teammates to stay attractive to the market. Enjoy!
Jena’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenaz/
She recommends:
Invisible Women: https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/
The 5am club: https://www.robinsharma.com/book/the-5am-club

Ep 69
Improving inclusion in data teams

27/10/2022
Sadiqah Musa

27/10/2022: Sadiqah Musa - Improving inclusion in data teams

This week, Karen is joined by Sadiqah Musa, Lead Analyst at TrustPilot, and cofounder of Black in Data. While DEI has been making the headlines for a while now, Sadiqah highlights the fact that, with only 3% of data professionals being Black, the work on diversity has barely started. In this episode, she talks about the impact the lack of diversity has on employees’ confidence, as well as their ability to be themselves in the workplace. People of colour will find tips to become more comfortable in a non-diverse environment, and organisations will hear about how they can become more inclusive. Enjoy! Show notes: Sadiqah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadiqah-musa-9b169495/ Black in Data: https://www.blackindata.co.uk/ Sathya Bala’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sathya-bala-mystory/

Ep 68
Tackling algorithmic bias

13/10/2022
Itoro Liney

13/10/2022: Itoro Liney - Tackling algorithmic bias

This week, Karen is joined by Itoro Liney, Data Science Manager at Principality Building Society, and AI Ethics Researcher, to discuss one of the most important issues in our field: algorithmic bias. In this episode, Itoro uses a simple, yet powerful example to highlight the impact of biased data, especially when amplified by Machine Learning algorithms. You will also hear practical advice on how data scientists can gain clarity on possible bias in their data, and how to account for it. Enjoy! Show notes: Itoro’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisliney/ She recommends reading: Radical Candor: https://www.radicalcandor.com/ The five dysfunctions of a team: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Lencioni/dp/0787960756

Ep 67
Succeeding against the odds

29/09/2022
Candace Ohm

29/09/2022: Candace Ohm - Succeeding against the odds

This week, Karen is joined by Candace Ohm, Director of Product Analytics at Cardlytics. Being a first-generation college student, Candace faced a number of challenges in her journey to become a leader in data science. In this episode, she shares a story of self-discovery and of overcoming limiting beliefs that were stopping her from feeling like she belonged in a career in data. But most of all, she shares a story of courage. Candace’s LinkedIn

Ep 66
Towards more inclusive HealthTech solutions

1509/2022
Shikta Das and Dr.Tazeen Rizvi

1509/2022: Shikta Das and Dr.Tazeen Rizvi - Towards more inclusive HealthTech solutions

This week, Karen is joined by Shikta Das, Associate Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca, and Dr.Tazeen Rizvi, Clinician and Entrepreneur, to talk about the state of data and technology in healthcare. These two experts in their field bring a different perspective on the topic, Shikta, coming from the viewpoint of a data scientist, and Tazeen, that of a digital health expert. In this episode, you will hear about the role of data-driven technologies in creating accessible, more inclusive and efficient care delivery models. They also highlight the critical opportunities that need to be addressed to unlock the value of data and digital tools to ensure diagnostics, digital solutions and treatments are adequate for every segment of the population. They talk about bridging the data gap, the impact of biased data on research and diagnosis, how decentralised clinical trials can help address these issues, and much more. Show notes: Shikta’s LinkedIn Tazeen’s LinkedIn They recommend: The Genetics Society Patient Rising Mind The Gap UC Science today Tazeen’s podcast

Ep 65
Taking ownership of your career in data

01/09/2022
Adriana Beal

01/09/2022: Adriana Beal - Taking ownership of your career in data

This week, Karen is joined by Adriana Beal, Lead Data Scientist at Slalom. If you’re looking to take ownership of your career, or mentor someone who is, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Adriana shares her best advice to data analysts and data scientists who want to take the driving seat. You will also hear about why she prefers working as a consultant rather than as a full-time employee, and how to translate a business problem into a data science project. Show notes: Adriana’s LinkedIn She recommends: Deep Questions Podcast, Behavioral Grooves Podcast, Find your T shape

Ep 64
Establishing yourself in a new role

21/07/2022
Neha Wadhawan

21/07/2022: Neha Wadhawan - Establishing yourself in a new role

This week, Karen is joined by Neha Wadhawan, Director of Credit Risk at American Express. Neha moved from risk analytics to customer analytics and back to risk when joining her dream company. In this episode, they talk about how Neha was able to successfully establish herself as a leader in an area she didn’t specialise in, but also in a company where other leaders joined as graduates and have a long tenure. Along with a structured approach to building strong relationships with stakeholders, you will hear about Neha’s objectives for her first 3 months at Amex, her approach to learning, and how she keeps her team engaged and motivated. Enjoy!

Show notes:
Neha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-wadhawan-7099848/
She recommends: HBR articles, LinkedIn learning

Ep 63
Reduced hours and leadership

07/07/2022
Nicki Tinson

07/07/2022: Nicki Tinson - Reduced hours and leadership

This week, Karen is joined by Nicki Tinson, founder of Empowered Analyst, and Professional Development Expert in Data Analytics. In this episode, they talk about the stigmas surrounding part-time working, especially for individuals in a leadership position, and why Nicki prefers the term reduced hours. You will also hear, step by step, how Nicki was able to work reduced hours without making a salary sacrifice. Enjoy!

Show notes
Nicki's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/empoweredanalysts/

Ep 62
Future-proofing your career

23/06/2022
Sophie Duffy

23/06/2022: Sophie Duffy - Future-proofing your career

This week, Karen is joined by Sophie Duffy, Group Head of Data and Analytics at Kingfisher. After many years in commercial data roles and in strategy, Sophie decided to pivot into a more technical role, leading a digital and customer analytics team. In this episode, she describes the thought process that led her to data analytics as well as the challenges she encountered along the way. You will hear about how her previous experience helps her lead an analytics team, the business problems addressed by her team, and how she is able to learn on the job and grow as a data analytics leader. Enjoy!
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Show notes
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Sophie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-duffy/

Ep 61
Avoiding the Glue Work black hole & gaining the recognition you deserve

09/06/2022
Debbie Kerr and Yamini Krishnamoorthy

09/06/2022: Debbie Kerr and Yamini Krishnamoorthy - Avoiding the Glue Work black hole & gaining the recognition you deserve

This week, Karen is joined by Debbie Kerr, Data Scientist, and Yamini Krishnamoorthy, Data Analytics Manager at M&G. In this episode, they share their respective experience with getting recognition for their work. You will hear about their strategies to ensure your contribution is noticed, as well as how to avoid your career being involuntarily diverted by Glue Work. Wondering what Glue Work is? You might not have heard of the term before, but it’s very likely that some would have crept on your to-do list at some point or another.
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Show notes:
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Debbie's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-kerr-069ba2141/
Yamini's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yamini-krishnamoorthy-1aba26127/

Ep 60
Starting in Data Science

26/05/2022
Bianka Pal and Cecilia Oliveira

26/05/2022: Bianka Pal and Cecilia Oliveira - Starting in Data Science

This week, Karen is joined by Bianka Pal, Data Scientist at Vodafone, and Cecilia Oliveira, Data Analyst at UniQuest. In this episode, they share their experience of starting in the field. While Bianka’s first experience was through a Graduate scheme, Cecilia had already spent over 10 years in a sales and hospitality career when she turned to data analytics. You will hear about their motivations to work in data, the steps they took to land their first job in the sector (including formal and informal training), the challenges they encountered, and their top tips for a successful transition. If you are looking to start a career in data science or data analytics, this episode is for you. It will also help hiring managers put themselves in the shoes of candidates that are new to data. Enjoy! *************************** Show notes *************************** Bianka’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianka-pal-5560b1153/Cecilia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliagoliveira/ They recommend: Towards Data Science: https://towardsdatascience.com/ DataTalk Podcast: https://www.experian.com/blogs/news/about/datadriven/ KDNuggets: https://www.kdnuggets.com/news/index.html Real Python: https://realpython.com/ Cassie Kozyrkov: https://twitter.com/quaesita?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Ep 59
Professional Athlete to Data Science: Lessons from the Field

12/05/2022
Elizabeth Wanless

12/05/2022: Elizabeth Wanless - Professional Athlete to Data Science: Lessons from the Field

This week, Karen is joined by Dr. Liz Wanless, Assistant Director of Analytics at Ohio University. Before dedicating herself to NLP and Sports Science, Liz competed as a professional shot putter for several years. In this episode, she starts by providing us with an understanding of the current state of sports science before sharing the lessons she learnt from her career as an athlete, and how they translate to a career in business and data science. You will hear how she was able to balance different activities at once, how she sets up process-oriented goals, the importance of rest and recovery, and how knowing her values helps her be in the right mindset to put failure into perspective. The episode finishes with an anecdote from Karen regarding how she experiences numerical reasoning tests, leading to Liz’s reflection on the need to change the way maths is taught to serve our field better. ****************************** Show notes: ****************************** Liz' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanless/    

Ep 58
Becoming an authentic and visible role model

28/04/2022
Susan Walsh

28/04/2022: Susan Walsh - Becoming an authentic and visible role model

This week, Karen is joined by Susan Walsh, The Classification Guru. In a field that gets excited by buzzwords, Susan used her sparkling personality to increase her visibility and make data cleansing fun. In this episode, she talks about how being authentic and visible helped her grow her business, along with the impact it has on the upcoming generation of data professionals. An extrovert by nature, she recognises that increasing visibility comes as a challenge to introverts and provides tips for them to do so without feeling uncomfortable. You will hear about how she keeps her content authentic despite the fear of judgment and negative experiences, as well as how the shift to in-house data analytics made organisations more aware of the challenges related to data quality, providing her with a space to start a business in the field. Enjoy! ****************** Show notes: ****************** Susan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanewalsh/

Ep 57
AI & NLP in practice

14/04/2022
Gelareh Taghizadeh

14/04/2022: Gelareh Taghizadeh - AI & NLP in practice

This week, Karen is joined by Gelareh Taghizadeh, Lead Data Scientist at Beamery and active member of the Women of MENA in technology community. At the time of the recording, Gelareh was working at Cogx, and in this episode, she gives a detailed explanation of how Artificial Intelligence and Natural language processing are revolutionising the podcasting industry. You will, for example, hear about how graph-based summarisers enable snippet identification. You will also hear about the role cloud computing and deep learning played in improving algorithms’ performance, allowing the integration of NLP in our daily lives, as well as the top skills needed to make a start in data science and NLP. Gelareh closes the conversation by explaining how through knowledge and idea-sharing, and by showing what’s possible, London’s NLP community helped her nurture her passion. ************************* Show notes ************************* Connect with Geraleh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gelareh-taghizadeh-247b3435/

Ep 56
How to build a great data science team (in a start-up)

30/03/2022
Natalia Lyarskaya

30/03/2022: Natalia Lyarskaya - How to build a great data science team (in a start-up)

This week, Karen is joined by Natalia Lyarskaya, Chief Data Officer at ZestMoney. With a background in applied economics, Natalia made her career in the financial technology sector as a data scientist and later on, as a data leader building data science teams and capabilities. In this episode, she talks about her excitement at working with start-ups and being at the foundation of something new, as well as of her experience building data science teams from scratch. Not only will you hear about the challenges she overcame building and leading distributed teams, but you will also get her insights on how companies can get the most value from their data scientists, and her best tips as to how to align data science work with business objectives while ensuring data scientists and business leaders understand each other. Enjoy!

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Show notes

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Natalia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlyarskaya/

Ep 55
From data scientist to managing director

17/03/2022
Veerle Van Leemput

17/03/2022: Veerle Van Leemput - From data scientist to managing director

This week, Karen is joined by Veerle Van Leemput, Managing Director at Analytic Health. With a background in data science, Veerle always knew that she wouldn’t be satisfied by working full-time for an employer. Starting as a graduate with a company where she was the only data scientist didn’t help and, she felt like she had to do things independently to grow. That was until she met Greg, her business partner. In this episode, Veerle shares her journey from employee to freelancer to managing director. You will hear about her motivations, how she made it happen, the challenges she faces, and her best tips to succeed as a freelancer or as a data scientist managing a small business. There is something for everyone in this instalment - from newcomers trying to find their first role to individuals trying to find clients, price themselves, and find projects.  Enjoy! ****************** Show notes ****************** Veerle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veerlevanleemput/ She recommends Reading The art of thinking clearly

Ep 54
Breaking the bias in data careers

03/03/2022
Robin Sutara

03/03/2022: Robin Sutara - Breaking the bias in data careers

This week, Karen is joined by Robin Sutara, CDO at Microsoft UK. Having started her career in engineering, working on helicopters in the US Army, she went on to pass the bar in 2 US states, before embracing data and technology.  Now, Robin is on the podcast to drive change and inspire! In this episode, they discuss how the field of data could be more accommodating to diverse backgrounds, skills, and capabilities. You will hear about the importance of ensuring diversity in new hires, as well as how Microsoft tackles the data skills gap by creating software that enables low code to no code. An avid learner, Robin also shares how continuous learning has impacted her career and how one can make space for development in their busy life. ************************** Show notes: ************************** Robin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-sutara/ She recommends: Invisible Women: https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/

Ep 53
How to make a successful career transition

17/02/2022
Gurleen Shabharwal

17/02/2022: Gurleen Shabharwal - How to make a successful career transition

This week, Karen is joined by Gurleen Shabharwal, Data Science Manager at Intact in Toronto. They discuss how Gurleen successfully navigated a move from India to Canada. While data science is strongly present in both countries, the market couldn't be more different. Moreover, Gurleen’s network was limited in Canada and her culture meant that reaching out to strangers was making her uncomfortable. In this episode, she provides advice that is applicable to anyone making a career transition, being in terms of geographic area or changing field or path. She talks about how finding her why helped her focus her search and land her first role in Canada; highlights the importance of speaking with the right stakeholders and of being flexible. Finally, she touches on how she managed to make friends in a country that was so far away from hers. ************************ Show notes: ************************ Gurleen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gurleen-sabharwal-98b1899/ She recommends: Cassie Kozyrkov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kozyrkov/ Super data science podcast: https://www.superdatascience.com/podcast Trustworthy online controlled experiments: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trustworthy-Online-Controlled-Experiments-Practical-ebook/dp/B0845Y3DJV

Ep 52
Diving into the role of a data translator

06/02/2022
Melis Tufur

06/02/2022: Melis Tufur - Diving into the role of a data translator

This week, Karen is joined by Melis Tufur, ex-Managing Director at MBI research and analytics. In this episode, Melis walks us through her role as a data translator. She touches on her responsibilities, on the skills that are crucial to be successful in such a role and talks about the projects that she worked on, from market research to marketing mix modelling. In 2018, HBR published an article stating that the analytics translator was a must have role and Melis tells us why that is. 

Ep 51
Voicing what you want and stepping up into leadership

19/01/2022
Louise Maynard-Atem

19/01/2022: Louise Maynard-Atem - Voicing what you want and stepping up into leadership

This week, Karen is joined by Louise Maynard-Atem, Head of Data Insights at GBG. For Louise, stepping into this role was a move outside of her comfort zone, and in this episode, she shares her experience and learnings. You will first hear about fraud analytics, how it benefits businesses and how Louise moved from identifying fraud after it happened, to predicting unconventional behaviours and therefore preventing it. The conversation then moves towards stepping up into a leadership role. Louise describes how she was able to leverage her network to land her current role, as well as how she crafts it every day by balancing what she wants from the role and what the company wants from her.  

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Show notes: 
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Louise’s LinkedIn
Louise Recommends: 
Radical candor
How I built this
HBR

Ep 50
The Women in Data community in 2022 - pushing forward for change

05/01/2022
Women in Data community

05/01/2022: Women in Data community - The Women in Data community in 2022 - pushing forward for change

This week, Karen is joined by not one, not two, but three data titans!  Claire Williams (Associate Partner at IBM), Holly Armitage (Principal Strategist at BAE Systems) and Richard Tate (EVP Data at DAZN Group) share what 2022 will look like for the Women in Data community.  Forming half of the Chapter Leads team, they are working to make data careers more accessible and welcoming to women. They respectively lead the Girls in Data, Career Crossroads and Allyship chapters.  Listen to find out more about their missions and what to expect in the new year.  Enjoy! *********************** Show notes: *********************** Connect with Karen and the guests: Karen 

Claire - Girls in Data chapter

Holly - Career crossroads chapter

Richard - Allyship Chapter

Ep 49
Leveraging strategy to thrive with data

16/12/2021
Jennifer Agnes

16/12/2021: Jennifer Agnes - Leveraging strategy to thrive with data

This week, Karen is joined by Jennifer Agnes, Managing Director at Cynozure Group for the second part of a two-part conversation. In this episode, Jennifer shares the steps to building a data strategy and how to identify and address the right business questions to ensure alignment with your business strategy. She also provides key advice to data professionals at all stages of their career. From recent grads who need to find ways to broaden their perspective as they grow and develop thinking more broadly and identifying what needs to be done, to senior managers who have to build a strategy that is in line with business objectives and create an environment that encourages sharing ideas, learning every day and iteratively and continuously creates value with data. Enjoy! ************************ Show notes ************************ Data means business: http://info.cynozure.com/data-means-business

Ep 48
How to build a strong and sustainable network

09/12/2021
Jennifer Agnes

09/12/2021: Jennifer Agnes - How to build a strong and sustainable network

This week, Karen is joined by Jennifer Agnes, Managing Director at Cynozure Group for the first part of a two-part conversation. In this first part, Jennifer shares how she moved from risk management to a career in data. She then moves on to talk about how to build and maintain a strong network. You will hear about two different ways of building your network: communities and 1 on 1 meetings. You will discover the role played by networking communities, like the CDO Hub and how they benefit members who invest time in them. You will also find some advice on how to approach 1 on 1 networking conversations and make the relationships last over the years. Towards the end, Jennifer covers how she blended her desire to give back and help others build a network and grow in their career with her day-to-day role.

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Show notes
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Jennifer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagnes/

Ep 47
The power of introversion in data professionals

25/11/2021
Gemma Turner and Michelle Williams

25/11/2021: Gemma Turner and Michelle Williams - The power of introversion in data professionals

This week, Karen is joined by The Very Group’s, Gemma Turner (Analytics Manager for Digital Product) and Michelle Williams (Data Product Owner). In this episode, they explore introversion in data professionals from the differing perspectives of these two leaders. While Michelle covers what it means to lead as an introvert; Gemma brings the viewpoint of an extrovert who leads a team of introverts. They talk about why careers in data analytics and engineering are particularly attractive to those of an introverted nature and how they can benefit data teams. They also share how introverts can perform and progress in their careers and how leaders can support their team members, especially when it comes to meeting participation.
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Show notes:
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The power of vulnerability – Brené Brown
The Ripple Effect – Dr. Greg Wells
The power of introverts – Susan Cain

Ep 46
Innovation in action: Driving impact in healthcare

11/10/2021
Harietta Eleftherochorinou

11/10/2021: Harietta Eleftherochorinou - Innovation in action: Driving impact in healthcare

This week, Karen is joined by Harietta Eleftherochorinou, Head of innovation strategy and ventures, at IQVIA (NYSE: IQV). Through Harietta’s career journey, they talk about how AI and technology are transforming healthcare. They then explore the topic of innovation, mentioning the three archetypes of innovation, the different ways to innovate and the five ingredients to create transformational impact through innovation.

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Show notes
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IQVIA’s innovation hub: https://www.iqvia.com/about-us/innovation-hub

Ep 45
Combining data with common sense for better decisions

28/10/2021
Sheila Byfield

28/10/2021: Sheila Byfield - Combining data with common sense for better decisions

This week, Karen is joined by Sheila Byfield, who has led a successful career specialising in research and data analysis within media and advertising. In this episode, Sheila shares what she has learnt over the years as well as her frustration over the direction that the advertising sector has taken - frustration which ultimately led her to write a book called ‘In with the old. In with the new’. She talks about how promises to change the interruption model were not kept, how time pressure impacts ads’ effectiveness, and how digital advertising could benefit from learnings from the past. Most importantly, she highlights the significance of human intervention and common sense in technological and data developments as well as their applications. 

Enjoy! 
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Show notes:  
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Sheila’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/old-new-Sheila-Byfield/dp/0244501955/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sheila+byfield&qid=1634586146&sr=8-1 

Reading recommendations:
The Attention Economy by Karen Nelson-Field 
The long and the short of it: Balancing long and short-term marketing strategies by Les Binet and Peter Field. 
Hello world by Hanah Fry 
Invisible women by Caroline Criado-Perez 
Podcasts recommendations
The digital human: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01n7094/episodes/player
  Marketing Week’s podcast: https://www.marketingweek.com/marketing-podcasts/ 

Ep 44
Data Science and Cancer Research

14/10/2021
Annalisa Occhipinti

14/10/2021: Annalisa Occhipinti - Data Science and Cancer Research

This week, Karen is joined by Annalisa Occhipinti, Lecturer in Data Analytics at Teesside University. Working at the interesting intersection of Computer Science and Biology, she develops critical machine learning and deep learning methodologies for cancer research. In this episode, Annalisa gives insight into how data science is supporting cancer research. These life-saving models enable early detection as well as providing clinicians with the information they need to prescribe adequate treatment based on an individual's genomic profile. She talks about the data that she analyses, dealing with missing values and how the models are built. Working closely with businesses, she then goes on to discuss the differences between academic research and industry. Annalisa’s research is funded by: https://earlier.org/
Annalisa’s reading recommendation:
Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/
The batch - https://read.deeplearning.ai/the-batch/
Data Elixir - https://dataelixir.com/
Deep Learning Weekly - https://www.deeplearningweekly.com/

Ep 43
The value in thinking differently

30/09/2021
Alison Williams

30/09/2021: Alison Williams - The value in thinking differently

This week, Karen is joined by Alison Williams, Global Head of Data at Dunnhumby. From a university degree in History, to leading a team of 140 data professionals, Alison has faced many challenges in her career. In this episode, she shares how she came to realise that her unconventional way of approaching data-related problems is her strength. She also discusses the importance of understanding different personality profiles and ways of thinking to improve effectiveness and collaboration across teams. Alison spoke about: Insights personality test
She recommends to listen to:
Hub & Spoken: https://www.cynozure.com/hub-spoken/
Customer Insight Leader: https://www.customerinsightleader.com/the-customer-insight-leader-podcast/
HBR - Ideacast: https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-ideacast
HBR - Coaching Real Leaders: https://hbr.org/2020/12/podcast-coaching-real-leaders

Ep 42
Career crafting

16/09/2021
Sue Parker

16/09/2021: Sue Parker - Career crafting

This week, Karen is joined by Sue Parker, founder of Empowered Leaders in Tech. As a data leader and an ambassador for women working in technology, Sue is passionate about helping data and IT professionals to feel fulfilled by work that has purpose and impact. In this episode, she shares her best advice to help you shape your career. With her 3D framework, Sue will walk you from understanding your journey so far, to defining your success story. 

Ep 41
Achieving your ambitions

02/09/2021
Alina Timofeeva

02/09/2021: Alina Timofeeva - Achieving your ambitions

This week, Karen is joined by Alina Timofeeva, Associate Partner at Oliver Wyman. Originally from Russia, Alina was raised with the intention of becoming a housewife. However, she had different aspirations and gave herself the means to make them happen. In this inspiring episode, she shares her advice to get you where you want to be. You will hear about her move from Graduate to Associate Partner as well as tips to raise your profile and get that promotion.

Ep 40
Back to the office

21/07/2021
Holly Smith

21/07/2021: Holly Smith - Back to the office

This week, Karen is joined by Holly Smith, Senior Solutions Consultant at Databricks. They share their respective experience working from home and how they feel about going back to the office. On top of that, you will find tips to help you make the return to the office work for you. From managing your time and reviewing your priorities, to reinventing your commute and defining how you will use your time in the office, this conversation will hopefully help you shape your post lockdown routine.

Ep 39
The Chief Data Officer explained

7/07/2021
Susanna Moan

7/07/2021: Susanna Moan - The Chief Data Officer explained

This week, Karen is joined by Susie Moan, Chief Data Officer at comparethemarket.com. In this episode, Susie explains the role and responsibilities of a CDO and touches on the skills and experience needed for the role. She also talks about the importance of data literacy outside of data teams and how appointing a CDO was key to instigating data led change at comparethemarket.com. Lastly, as a mum of 4, Susie shares her personal tips to become a leader while also taking care of your family and your wellbeing.

Ep 38
Telling stories with data

23/06/2021
Gráinne Gilmore

23/06/2021: Gráinne Gilmore - Telling stories with data

This week, Karen is joined by Gráinne Gilmore, Head of Research at Zoopla to talk about data storytelling. Gráinne tells data powered stories of the real estate market on a daily basis, and in this episode, she shares her tips to deliver impactful and digestible presentations. She outlines how her career started in journalism before moving into research, and she also shares the perspective of another member of Zoopla's Research & Insight team who comes from a more technical data background.

Ep 37
Open banking and using Data for Good

9/06/2021
Emma Kisby

9/06/2021: Emma Kisby - Open banking and using Data for Good

This week, Karen is joined by Emma Kisby, Managing Director at CoGo. In this episode, they talk about how Emma uses her experience with customer analytics to fuel a purposeful career in the world of open banking. You will discover what open banking is, how it works and how businesses use customers' transactions history to help them make purchases that are in line with their values.

Ep 36
Elisa Morariu

26/05/2021
Understanding customers behaviour

26/05/2021: Understanding customers behaviour - Elisa Morariu

This week, Karen is joined by Elisa Morariu, Senior Customer Insight Analyst at A.S. Watson. Elisa’s background in market research along with her experience in analytics means that she is passionate about understanding the “why” of customers behaviour as well as the “what”. In this episode, she gives a glimpse of customers analytics and how mixing market research and purchase data can offer a 360 insight on customers.

Ep 35
Starting a career in Data Science or Data Analytics

12/05/2021
Swathi Sudhaakar

12/05/2021: Swathi Sudhaakar - Starting a career in Data Science or Data Analytics

This week, Karen is joined by Swathi Sudhaakar, Director of Product Analytics at Cardlytics. If you are looking to start a career in data science or data analytics or have just started working in the field, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Swathi provides some great insights on the different types of roles and shares what hiring managers are looking for, how to build the right skills and when to apply for a job. On top of that, Swathi touches on the biggest responsibilities of data scientists and analysts, including ensuring projects add value to the business and that the data is not biased. With the approaching reveal of the 20 in data and technology awardees, this episode ends with Angela Lillis talking about her experience as a 20 in data in 2019 at 23”36

Ep 34
Managing data teams

28/04/2021
Bianca Partington

28/04/2021: Bianca Partington - Managing data teams

We are closing the anniversary of the podcast with Bianca Partington, Head of Customer, Decisioning & Digital Analytics at NatWest. 3 years ago, with no prior experience in data, Bianca took on managing a team of over 70 data professionals. In this episode, she shares her approach to managing data teams and provides tips for managers coming from a technical background and for those who like her, didn’t initially set up for a career in data. Whether you are an experienced manager or aspiring to be, this conversation will provide you with precious insights.

Ep 33
Negotiate your worth

21/4/2021
Wies Bratby

21/4/2021: Wies Bratby - Negotiate your worth

This Week, Karen is joined by Wies Bratby, founder of Women in Negotiation and TEDx speaker. Over the years, Wies has helped more than a thousand of women get a job they love along with an average salary increase of 49%. In this episode she talks about the importance of negotiating your worth, and what are the steps to start doing so. As we are still celebrating the anniversary of the podcast, at the end of the episode, you will hear Elisabeth Harris and Cecilia Olivera talk about what a fulfilling career means for them.

Ep 32
Deep dive into the role of a product analytics team

14/04/2021
Kavya Gupta

14/04/2021: Kavya Gupta - Deep dive into the role of a product analytics team

This week, Karen is joined by Kavya Gupta, Head of Product Analytics at Paymentsense. In this episode, you will hear about product analytics – what it is, why it’s important and how a typical team is structured. Kavya also talks about the skills that are important in a product analytics team and, having come to data from software engineering, she shares how she over comes the challenges she faces heading a team that is more technical than she is. At the end of the episode, you will hear from two former guests of the podcast talking about career fulfillment.

Ep 31
Career fulfilment

7/04/2021
Ekaterina Atanasyan

7/04/2021: Ekaterina Atanasyan - Career fulfilment

For the second week of the anniversary of the podcast, Karen is joined by Ekaterina Atanasyan, General Manager at Business Intelligence Group. Ekaterina is joining from Russia and shares what having a fulfilling career means to her. Get ready to feel uplifted by her positive attitude! At the end of the episode, you will hear other women working in data talk about their views on career fulfilment.

Ep 30
Big Data small data and data mastering

31/03/2021
Sonal Goyal

31/03/2021: Sonal Goyal - Big Data small data and data mastering

This week marks the beginning of the celebrations of the first anniversary of the podcast, and in April, we will release one episode every week. In this episode, I am joined by Sonal Goyal, Founder at Aficx and Cristina González, aspiring data professional. You will hear all about data mastering and driving value from data. As Aficx focuses on supporting companies with having clean, consistent and trusted data, Sonal shares how this is done through graphs and data science. She also highlights the importance of knowing from the start what data you should hold and why.

Ep 29
Breaking the mould

17/03/2021
Sathya Bala

17/03/2021: Sathya Bala - Breaking the mould

This week, Karen is joined by Sathya Bala, Head of Global Data Governance at CHANEL. They talk about what data governance is and how it varies from one industry to another. Sathya then shares her views on the perceptions people have of data professionals, encouraging you to create your own story and your own success.

Ep 28
Choose to challenge!

3/03/2021
Macarena Estévez

3/03/2021: Macarena Estévez - Choose to challenge!

This week, Karen is joined by Macarena Estévez, Partner for Analytics & Cognitive at Deloitte Spain and recognised by LinkedIn as Top Voice for Data and Analytics in Spain. In this episode, they talk about what “Choose to challenge” means for Maca. They also discuss leaving a well-paid and secured job to start a business focusing on data and mathematics, along with some applications of mathematics in business. Maca’s philosophy of life is inspiring and I hope you will as you will be glued to her words as I was.

Ep 27
Using data science to understand human cells mechanisms

17/02/2021
Elisabeth Yaneske

17/02/2021: Elisabeth Yaneske - Using data science to understand human cells mechanisms

This week, Karen is joined by Elisabeth Yaneske, Principal Lecturer in Computer Science at Teesside University. In this episode, they talk about Elisabeth’s research that aims at curing diseases using data science. You will hear about genes expression, the advantages of using data science to model human cells rather than animal testing and touch on what working in academia means.

Ep 26
Democratising data for better business decisions

3/02/2021
Natasha Joslin

3/02/2021: Natasha Joslin - Democratising data for better business decisions

This week, Karen is joined by Natasha Joslin, co- founder of We Are Mojo, a data agency that helps businesses use their data to accelerate growth. They discuss the growing importance of data literacy within businesses, along with the best approach to using data analytics to answer business questions.

Ep 25
Reflections on career resilience

20/01/2021
Elizabeth Harris

20/01/2021: Elizabeth Harris - Reflections on career resilience

This week, Karen is joined by Lizzie Harris, Senior Customer Analytics Manager at Sainsbury’s. They talk about how Sainsbury’s utilises data and reflect on career resilience. With the global pandemic and various lockdowns across the world, career resilience is likely to be helpful in 2021. In this episode, you will hear Lizzie and Karen’s experience with career resilience, ranging from accepting feedback, being at peace with one’s job title, but also falling victim of the cancel culture.

Ep 24
WiD reflections and projections

6/01/2021
Roisin McCarthy and Payal Jain

6/01/2021: Roisin McCarthy and Payal Jain - WiD reflections and projections

In this new year episode, Karen is joined by Roisin McCarthy and Payal Jain, respectively co-founder and Chair of Women in data. They reflect on what 2020 looked like for WiD, the challenges they faced, the wins they had. They also discuss their plans for Women in Data and Girls in Data in 2021. And, if you have been wondering what happened to the Twenty in data awards for 2020, you won’t be disappointed as Roisin reveals what they have been up to.

Ep 23
Your career questions answered

16/12/2020
Various

16/12/2020: Various - Your career questions answered

You sent us your career questions and, in this episode, Belinda Djamson, Managing Director at Accenture, Claire Thompson, Head of Data and Analytics at NatWest, and Samani Lamabadusuriya, Head of Data and Analytics at Cigna, bring you answers.

Ep 22
From Analytics to Data Science

9/12/2020
Sumedha Menon

9/12/2020: Sumedha Menon - From Analytics to Data Science

This week, Karen is joined by Sumedha Menon, Data Scientist at Google. If you ever wondered how to transition from Data Analytics to Data Science, this conversation might answer many of your questions. In this episode, Sumedha talks about her personal experience of making this transition, factors she considered and how she made non-linear career choices so she could have a more fulfilling professional journey. She also provides tips on how anyone looking to make this transition can upskill themselves and start their own journey.

Ep 21
Success story and cultural clash

25/11/2020
Karrie Liu

25/11/2020: Karrie Liu - Success story and cultural clash

This week, Karen is joined by Karrie Liu, winner of the top 100 women in technology in 2019. Karrie works as a Freelance mathematician for the NHS and Pharma companies. Making a point of using her skills to help others, she also advises charities on data related issues, allowing girls living in rural areas of India go to school. At the age of 17, Karrie moved to the UK to study and decided to stay and pursue a career in data and mathematics. Nobody would've guessed how much her father didn't appreciate her because of her gender. Tune in to the Women in Data, Karrie shares how she struggled to get her father’s approval along with tips on how women can support other women whose culture doesn't believe that women should study or have a career.

Ep 20
Real estate research and geo spatial analytics

11/11/2020
Grainne Gilmore and Dewi Spijkerman

11/11/2020: Grainne Gilmore and Dewi Spijkerman - Real estate research and geo spatial analytics

This week, Karen is joined by Grainne Gilmore, Head of Research at Zoopla and Dewi Spijkerman, Senior Geospatial Analyst at Knight Frank. In this very insightful episode, they talk about how the real estate industry uses data for research purpose, allowing them to understand trends and create insights into the market. They also talk about geospatial analytics and its various applications. Get ready for an exciting peek into the world of real estate and discover the power of geospatial analytics.

Ep 19
What do Credit Risk Analysts do?

28/10/2020
Cristina Meloni

28/10/2020: Cristina Meloni - What do Credit Risk Analysts do?

Ep 18
Owning your career!

14/10/2020
Freya Holland

14/10/2020: Freya Holland - Owning your career!

This week, Karen is joined by Freya Holland, EMEA & International HQ Analytics Lead at The Kraft Heinz Company. From feeling unhappy and losing confidence to driving the analytics agenda for a multinational FMCG company, Freya shares her journey to own her career. In this episode, you will also find tips to grow confidence.

Ep 17
How to get rid of limiting beliefs and build bravery!

30/09/2020
Caroline Pankhurst

30/09/2020: Caroline Pankhurst - How to get rid of limiting beliefs and build bravery!

Ep 16
Finding opportunity in uncertainty

16/09/2020
Lara Izlan

16/09/2020: Lara Izlan - Finding opportunity in uncertainty

Ep 15
Saying yes to a side hustle and flexible working


Sarah Hunt

: Sarah Hunt - Saying yes to a side hustle and flexible working

The summer break came and went and as promised, we are back with some great content and giveaways. This week, Karen is joined by Sarah Hunt. After almost 30 years of experience in data analytics, Sarah was made redundant during the lockdown. Thankfully, she had a side hustle and chose to transform her unfortunate situation into an opportunity to focus on her yoga teaching business. If you have been thinking about having something on the side, or would like to change your working pattern, this episode might just be what you need. Tune in to hear about the importance and benefits of having a side hustle, as well as Sarah's tips to approach the topic of flexible working hours with your manager. Throughout September, Sarah also offers the WiD community access to her online yoga classes. Head to www.yogawithsarahhunt.com where the first 30 will get a free class with the voucher WID100% and 30 will get 50% off with WID50%.

Ep 14
Lucile Ripa

29/07/2020
Career choices and Analytics in consultancy

29/07/2020: Career choices and Analytics in consultancy - Lucile Ripa

This week, Karen is joined by Lucile Ripa, Analytics & Data Science Partner at Wunderman Thompson. A deep dive into data roles and projects in agencies, this episode is full of insights. It is also full tips to help you ace your career; from using transferable skills to bring new ways of thinking to moving from analyst to manager or taking ownership of your work and presenting it in meetings. Whether you want to understand the type of projects data teams work on in agencies and what skills are needed there, or you are at a crossroads trying to decide what will be the next step in your career, tune in for lessons learnt over years of experience in the field.

Ep 13
Becoming a marketing engineer without a STEM background

22/07/2020
Jessica Chapplow

22/07/2020: Jessica Chapplow - Becoming a marketing engineer without a STEM background

This week, Karen is joined by Jessica Chapplow, Head of Digital Transformation at KR MediaCom. With an initial passion for Journalism and Marketing Jessica never imagined she would be destined for a career in data and technology. Yet, in 2019, she was selected as a finalist for Women in Tech’s Young Leader of The Year Award. In this episode, you will hear about Jessica's journey to mould herself to become a Marketing Engineer, including the challenges she faced while studying for a Masters in Data Science and Machine Learning. Get ready for tips on how to navigate the world of Data Science without a-STEM background.

Ep 12
Images are numbers! From medical imaging to sports analytics

15/07/2021
Kanwal Bhatia

15/07/2021: Kanwal Bhatia - Images are numbers! From medical imaging to sports analytics

Ep 11
The role of data in the financial industry

8/07/2020
Bhavya Jha

8/07/2020: Bhavya Jha - The role of data in the financial industry

This week, Karen is joined by Bhavya Jha, Manager of Advanced Analytics at M&G plc. Specialised in building machine learning models and data strategy, Bhavya also uses her skills and enthusiasm to participate in various hackathons and teaches data analytics and python coding. In this episode, you will hear about how data is used in the pension and retirement industry, what benefits you would get from taking part in hackathons and Bhavya’s passion to bring more women in the industry.

Ep 10
Reflections on a career journey!

1/7/2021
Catriona Lindsay

1/7/2021: Catriona Lindsay - Reflections on a career journey!

This week, Karen is joined by Catriona Lindsay, Global Head of People Analytics at Avon. From a default career to finding her ideal role, Catriona shares the story of her journey to find her purpose and owning her career. Get ready for a fun and insightful episode, where both Karen and Catriona share their highs and lows along with their key learnings.

Ep 9
Transitioning into data science

24/06/2020
Elektra Papazoglou

24/06/2020: Elektra Papazoglou - Transitioning into data science

This week, Karen is joined by Elektra Papazoglou, Senior Data Scientist at Kalido. Having a background in biology, Elektra shares her journey to data science. Get ready for a deep dive into the applications of NLP and other machine learning algorithms at Kalido, tips to land a data science job as well as tips to overcome the impostor syndrome.

Ep 8
Keeping the talent in your team!

17/06/2020
Jane Christian and Emma Whitehouse

17/06/2020: Jane Christian and Emma Whitehouse - Keeping the talent in your team!

This week, Jane and Emma, Head of systems intelligence and Deputy Head of Business Science for UK clients at MediaCom share their tips on retaining talents in a team and on how to progress within the same organisation.

Ep 7
Working in data with a charity and tips to overcome career challenges

10/7/2020
Victoria Pike

10/7/2020: Victoria Pike - Working in data with a charity and tips to overcome career challenges

This week, Karen is joined by Victoria Pike, Head of Data at Mencap to discuss what it means to work in data with a charity. Having previously worked as an Enterprise Architect at Sainsbury's, Victoria offers a unique view on the difference between the two industries.

Ep 6
Working in data at the ONS and leadership tips

3/06/2020
Francesca Kay

3/06/2020: Francesca Kay - Working in data at the ONS and leadership tips

This week, Karen is joined by Francesca Kay, Interim Deputy National Statistician and Director General for Data Capability at the ONS. They will talk about the ONS’ data science campus and projects they work on, as well as using data for good. Frankie will also share her views on leadership, career challenges and success.

Ep 5
Marketing Science at Facebook and tips to stay performant at work

27/05/2020
Verity Gill

27/05/2020: Verity Gill - Marketing Science at Facebook and tips to stay performant at work

This week, Karen is joined by Verity Gill, Marketing Science Director EMEA at Facebook. They will talk about what is marketing science, as well as the certification Facebook launched in partnership with Women in Data. Certification means learning new skills, and Verity will give you tips on how to make time for learning, and channel your energy to consolidate your knowledge and stay highly performant without burning out.

Ep 4
hints and tips on how to overcome the challenges of being furloughed

20/05/2021
Janine Woodcock

20/05/2021: Janine Woodcock - hints and tips on how to overcome the challenges of being furloughed

In this week’s episode, Janine Woodcock is back with hints and tips on how to overcome the challenges of being furloughed. Her tips are tailored to the results of the survey she lead on the fears brought by furloughing. Tune in to find out how to manage the anxiety related to the fear of future redundancy, of loss of connection with your company or team mates, to the loss of purpose and much more!   

Ep 3
Get a good brain workout for you and your family!

13/05/2021
Malcolm Pein

13/05/2021: Malcolm Pein - Get a good brain workout for you and your family!

Malcolm Pein is a chess professional who formed a charity to reintroduce chess in state schools in 2009. Malcolm is passionate about encouraging more girls to join this community and for parents to understand the benefits chess can bring to their family. Listen to how we can encourage children, adults and families to learn new skills, whilst having fun together and providing a brain workout!  On your marks, get set…..GO!